The Beer Token
Lyrics
To market, to market, I drive a small calf
To sell to buy food on my family’s behalf
But this calf is a nuisance, it’s driving me mad
Oh what will I do with this beastie so bad?
She's a bad calf, she's a fractious calf
And she won't cross the Wear
And I'm wishing that I could be
Anywhere but here
Now who is this fellow approaching me now?
He asks if I’m willing to sell him my cow
He drops a gold jacobus into my hand
A mightier price I could never demand
She's a fine calf, she's a mighty calf
But he's bent my ear
I might just be persuaded
Though I hold her dear
“I accept your offer, the calf is now yours”
I say without any reflection or pause
For fear he might change his mind in some way
I swiftly depart without further delay
She's a mad calf, she's a stubborn calf
And impossible to steer
And I'm glad to be well rid
Of her never fear
To market to market, this time to buy food
I hold my head high to reflect my good mood
With my pocket still full I repair to an inn
And slake a deep thirst with beer and gin
She's a mad calf, she's a wild calf
Though to me that is clear
This harassed herdsmen's eyes
Are now starting to blear
The inn I've gone into we'll call the Calf’s Head
An ideal place to be watered and fed
I fill up my pipe and with a gesture unspoken
I hand the landlord my last beer token
She's a fine calf and a clever calf
And she's filled me with cheer
For the price that she brought me
Has filled me with beer
Home again, home again, stumbling the Wear
My mind is now addled but my conscience is clear
For that fellow seemed to be on a mission today
I wish him good luck as I go on my way
She was my calf, now she's his calf
Let me make myself clear
I will have no regrets
And in that I'm sincere
(lyrics: Gary Miller / music: Trad. arr. Gary Miller)
© 2018 Whippet Records
Copyright Control MCPS/PRS
Notes
This song was commissioned and specially-written for the project 'The Butcher Baronet', in collaboration with Lone Pine Pictures, about the 17th Century Durham City historical figure John Duck.
Other songs and tunes from 'The Butcher Baronet' include : -
'Elementary (Turn, Turn Again)'
'Golden Journey: Through Air / Over Water / To Earth / On Fire'
'John's Jacobus (Inscription)'
'Merrily Danced The Butcher's Wife'
'Rolling on (A Hymn for John and Ann)'